Counter Assault is the only bear deterrent that meets or exceeds IGBC specs. It has the maximum strength allowed by both the EPA and Health Canada, and exceeds Bear Biologist and Wildlife Specialist recommendations for bear spray. The 10.2 oz. unit has a spray time of 9.2 seconds and a spray distance of 32 feet. This brand is carried by park rangers in Glacier and Yellowstone Nat'l Parks.

The hike to Iceberg Lake begins behind the cabins near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. There's enough parking for roughly 10-15 cars in the lot next to the trailhead. However, given the popularity of the area, it's likely the lot will be full, in which case you'll have to park in front of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. This will add another two-tenths of a mile walk to reach the trailhead.

Just beyond the Iceberg Lake Trailhead hikers will immediately turn right at a junction to access the short connector trail that leads to the Ptarmigan Trail. This connector trail is a fairly steep climb, gaining roughly 185 feet in only a quarter-of-a-mile. However, once on the Ptarmigan Trail, the gain in elevation is much more moderate.

Upon reaching the Ptarmigan Trail junction, hikers should turn left. A turn to the right will lead you back down to the Many Glacier Hotel.

Along the upper reaches of the connector trail, as well as on the early sections of the Ptarmigan Trail, hikers will have commanding views of 8851-foot Mount Grinnell and 8436-foot
Swiftcurrent Mountain towards the southwest. The dominating feature towards the west is 9321-foot Mount Wilbur, and lying towards the northwest, in the direction you're heading at this point, is the Ptarmigan Wall.

The Many Glacier area, especially the Ptarmigan Trail area, is located in prime bear habitat. The first mile or so past the connector is a haven for grizzly bears. Nearly every time
that I've hiked this trail I've spotted at least one along the hillside. It's extremely important for hikers to make a lot of noise, carry bear spray, and hike in groups in this area. As a result of its location, trails in the Many Glacier area are frequently closed due to bear activity. Thus, it's always a good idea to check with a ranger on the status of a trail before proceeding on any hike in the park.

The first segment of the hike passes through open terrain that offers grand views of the surrounding mountains. However, as you proceed further along, the trail enters a fairly dense section of pine forest, roughly 1.5 miles from the trailhead.

At 2.5 miles you'll reach a small clearing that overlooks Ptarmigan Falls. Unfortunately this is the best view of the waterfall hikers will have. Steep terrain makes it virtually impossible to get a closer look. Moreover, trees block a full view of the falls from top to bottom.

Just above Ptarmigan Falls is an open and rocky area that has become a popular spot for a snack break or a rest stop.

Shortly after passing the falls hikers will cross a footbridge over Ptarmigan Creek. Roughly one-tenth of a mile later you'll reach the Iceberg Lake Trail junction. The Ptarmigan Trail continues towards the right, and leads hikers up to Ptarmigan Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel. To continue towards Iceberg Lake hikers should proceed straight ahead onto the Iceberg Lake Trail.

Roughly 3 miles from the trailhead you'll emerge from the forest again, and from this point will have your first good views of your destination. Looking towards the left you'll notice a cirque with a couple of large snowfields lying on the cliff walls. In the basin just below those snowfields is Iceberg Lake.

Shortly thereafter the trail reaches the bottom of the Ptarmigan Wall and begins heading in a west-southwesterly direction. The Ptarmigan Wall, towering more than 1500 feet above the trail, is known as an arête, defined as a thin ridge of rock separating two valleys that have been carved by glaciers. In this case, the Ptarmigan Wall separates the Many Glacier valley from the Belly River valley.

At roughly 4.5 miles from the trailhead hikers will cross a footbridge over Iceberg Creek, and begin walking through an incredibly beautiful alpine meadow filled with a variety wildflowers. The trail then begins a short climb of roughly two-tenths of a mile. Once at the top of this small rise it's only a short distance down to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Glacier National Park. Although there might be a lot of people on this hike, it will be quite apparent as to why once you arrive at this magnificent gem. You may find quite a few people near the trail outlet, but if you skirt a short distance around the lake in either direction, you should be able to find a quiet spot to soak in the outstanding scenery.

Sitting at an elevation of 6094 feet, Iceberg Lake is surrounded by Mt. Wilbur towards the south, and Iceberg Peak and the Continental Divide to the west. Being situated in the shadows of these mountains, towering some 3000 feet above, the lake receives little sunshine, thus allowing ice and snow to accumulate on the water and on the surrounding cliff walls. On our most recent visit, in September of 2011, we saw far more ice in the lake than we've seen in previous years.